Thanks Fox Nation and the GOP ad creators.
Priceless!
Archive for the Political Category
The Lighter Side of Economic Disaster
Posted in American, Media, Obama, Opinions, Political, United States with tags American, Media, Must See, Obama, Opinions, Political, Politics, Silly Somethings, United States, Video on May 17, 2009 by Joann“Torture” & Rhetorical One-Up-Manship
Posted in American, Culture, Government, Media, Opinions, Political, Politics, Thomas Sowell, United States, War on Terror with tags American, Culture, Government, History, hitler, Media, Obama, Opinions, Political, Politics, president, rhetoric, Thomas Sowell, torture, United States, War on Terror, You Would Think on May 13, 2009 by JoannThomas Sowell calls “childish” and “fatuous” the positions taken on “torture,” inorder to appear to be morally one-up on the other side. Regardless of what they say, these people would actually act quite differently if their butts were at stake. According to Sowell:
There is a big difference between being ponderous and being serious. It is scary when the President of the United States is not being serious about matters of life and death, saying that there are “other ways” of getting information from terrorists.
Maybe this is a step up from the previous talking point that “torture” had not gotten any important information out of terrorists. Only after this had been shown to be a flat-out lie did Barack Obama shift his rhetoric to the lame assertion that unspecified “other ways” could have been used.
For a man whose whole life has been based on style rather than substance, on rhetoric rather than reality, perhaps nothing better could have been expected. But that the media and the public would have become so mesmerized by the Obama cult that they could not see through this to think of their own survival, or that of this nation, is truly a chilling thought.
When we look back at history, it is amazing what foolish and even childish things people said and did on the eve of a catastrophe about to consume them. In 1938, with Hitler preparing to unleash a war in which tens of millions of men, women and children would be slaughtered, the play that was the biggest hit on the Paris stage was a play about French and German reconciliation, and a French pacifist that year dedicated his book to Adolf Hitler.
If we could fight and win wars with words, our writers and poets would man the front lines with notepads and computers, however flesh and blood heroes are still our first defense and President’s are still compelled to command soldiers and protect citizen with more than words and lofty thoughts.
Thomas Sowell like Obama speaks of Winston Churchill. Sowell notes that the reason Churchill didn’t torture prisioners of war while bombs were falling on London was that these men were ordinary soldiers captured in war and covered by the Geneva convention. They also didn’t know anything that would have kept London from being bombed. Terrorists with life-saving information is another category entirely. Sowell concludes:
The left has long confused physical parallels with moral parallels. But when a criminal shoots at a policeman and the policeman shoots back, physical equivalence is not moral equivalence. And what American intelligence agents have done to captured terrorists is not even physical equivalence.
If we have reached the point where we cannot be bothered to think beyond rhetoric or to make moral distinctions, then we have reached the point where our own survival in an increasingly dangerous world of nuclear proliferation can no longer be taken for granted.
Just the Facts on “Green” Tax
Posted in American, Economy, News, Political, Politics with tags activists, American, congress, eco-tax, Economy, green, News, Political, Politics, tax, tea party, Waxman on May 7, 2009 by JoannMichelle Malkin leads with the facts as always, and an invitation to tea party activists, “Here’s your opportunity to reach across the aisle.” Seems Henry Waxman shortcircuited debate to “ram eco-taxes through Congress.” The NRCC sent out a fact sheet pointing out the woes of the radical tax plan. Dems in energy states fear the down-down-down side of this plan.
Michelle’s summary of the facts (H/T):
After stalling actions in Congress in the face of political pressure on the national energy tax, tempers boiled over among party leaders:
“Tensions over the direction of a sweeping climate change bill boiled over in a House Democratic leadership meeting Thursday, as Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (Calif.) lashed out at Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) for appearing to publicly downgrade the measure’s chances this year. ‘This is not helpful,’ Waxman told Van Hollen, citing reports that presented the party’s campaign chief as opposing aggressive action on the bill, sources familiar with the meeting said.” (Dennis and Newmyer, “Democrats Clash on Climate Change,” Roll Call, May 4, 2009)
Seeing one of his key campaign proposals on life-support in Congress, Obama drags Energy Committee members to the White House to resuscitate this job-killing proposal:
“Waxman declined to comment when asked if the markup would start this week, saying only that he remains committed to moving the bill by Memorial Day…. But with the climate bill in dire straits at the subcommittee level, Obama decided it was time to weigh in.” (Darren Samuelsohn, ‘We’re working out the issues,’ House Dems say after Obama climate meeting, New York Times, 5/5/09)
“President Barack Obama summoned 36 House Democrats to the White House on Tuesday to urge them to agree on climate and energy legislation that is under increasing criticism from Republicans and members of his own party.” (Dina Cappiello, “White House, House GOP Convene Meetings on Climate,” The Associated Press, 5/5/09)
Still Democrats Aren’t Willing to Support a National Energy Tax:
“But House Democrats have yet to reach a deal on key aspects of the far-reaching package, including credits to affected industries, a timetable for reaching reductions in carbon emissions and the specifics of a new mandate for renewable electricity.” (Dennis and Newmyer, “Energy Reform Limps Ahead,” Roll Call, 5/6/09)
THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BAD POLICY:
Facing tough re-elections next year, Dems in manufacturing and energy-producing districts desperately distance themselves from the National Energy Tax:
Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT): “Matheson has already been taking political shots from both sides on the bill. For example, the National Wildlife Federation ran full-page ads in the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune on Tuesday urging voters to call Matheson and ‘tell him it’s time to target climate change.’ The National Republican Congressional Committee on Monday issued a news release attacking him and questioning whether he will “support a national energy tax that could burden thousands and kill jobs.” (Davidson, “Matheson says Democrats moving too fast on climate-change bill,” Deseret News, 5/5/09)
Rep. Charles Melancon (D-LA): “At this point Melancon said he can’t support the draft because it would shut down the state’s energy coast. Melancon’s vote could have a detrimental effect on getting the measure out of committee. ‘I believe this bill would create an undue burden on families who are already paying too much in energy bills and on an industry that provides thousands of Louisianians with good jobs,’ Melancon said.” (Gerard Shields, “La. Democrats Key Figures In Federal Emissions Debate,” Baton Rouge Advocate, 5/2/09)
Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA): “‘What I’ve seen so far is nowhere near where it needs to be for me to support it,’ Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) told POLITICO. ‘Any way you do it, it hurts Pennsylvania, especially western Pennsylvania.’ ‘I think cap and trade is bad policy,’ said Altmire.” (Alex Isenstadt, “Cap And Trade Hits Speed Bumps,” Politico, 4/27/09)
Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH): “‘My understanding from what I’ve heard is it’s going to cause a big increase in our utility bills.’ Boccieri said the White House has been lobbying him heavily, but, ‘in its present form, cap and trade would be devastating to Ohio.’” (Robert Wang, “Boccieri Holds Telephone Town Hall Meeting,” Canton Repository, 3/25/09)
Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN): “Among coal-district Democrats like Hill, whose southeastern Indiana seat tilts conservative, reservations about a climate change bill are equally apparent. ‘I just can’t support it with the way it’s being proposed,’ said Hill, noting that 96 percent of Indiana is dependent on coal. ‘The bill in its current form is going to increase the rates for the people I represent.’” (Alex Isenstadt, “Cap And Trade Hits Speed Bumps,” Politico, 4/27/09)
Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR): “Rep. Mike Ross, Arkansas Democrat and one of the moderate members whom party leaders will have to persuade in order to secure passage, said he was concerned about the price consumers would have to pay if utilities passed along the cost of buying carbon permits to customers. ‘If you don’t like $4-a-gallon gasoline, you’re really not going to like your electric bill sometime between now and 2030,’ he said.” (Tom LoBianco, “House Lawmakers Take Stands In Hearings On Climate Change,” The Washington Times, 4/22/09)
Bully-pulpiteer – President Obama Again
Posted in American, News, Political, Politics with tags American, Beckmann, chrysler, funds, hedge funds, In the Tank, Lauria, Must Hear, News, Perella Weinberg, Political, Politics, president, pressure, White House on May 4, 2009 by JoannNow we can see the influence of bully-pulpiteer extraordinaire, Rev. Wright, come to full bloom in his protege. Those twenty years weren’t wasted on President Obama. While allegedly abusing power with Mafia finesse, President Obama denies the coercion. President Obama is charged with forcing compliance and threatening his (our) country men with the full weight of the White House Press Core if they do not kow tow.
Michelle Malkin reports
Over the weekend, news broke about the Obama administration’s reported threatsunion-friendly Chrysler bankruptcy plan. against an investment firm that opposed its
Tom Lauria represents a few of the non-TARP Chrysler creditors. He reported the threats on WJR radio host Frank Beckmann’s radio show in Detroit:
This isn’t the shiny new transparent politics we were promised by campaigning Obama. If it is true, it’s the go-for-the-jugular politics of the Chicago machine; down and dirty as it can be. But Malkin is right: “The only surprise is that anyone is surprised. The coercion cow has been out of the barn for a while now.”
Eyes and ears anyone? Abrogating contractual right appears to be coming easy to Obama.
Unarguably Founded On Christian Principles
Posted in American, Conservative, Constitution, Culture, Culture of Death, Government, In a nutshell, Just Thinking Out Loud, My Journal, Opinions, People, Political, Politics, Reflecting on the news, United States with tags American, animal farm, Conservative, Constitution, Culture, Culture of Death, dream, equality, Founding Fathers, Government, hope, idealism, idyllic, In a nutshell, In the Tank, Just Thinking Out Loud, machine, My Journal, nation, Obama, Opinions, oppression, Orwell, People, pigs, Political, Politics, president, Reflecting on the news, Religion, speech, United States, voice, warfare on April 27, 2009 by JoannI needed solid footing and balance after the bombardment of an aberrant President and press. Stephen Prothero writing for USA Today says:
Now comes President Obama, who in January in his inaugural address spoke of this country as “a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers.” On April 6 in Turkey, Obama added that the United States “does not consider itself a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation” but “a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.
It was just such that drove me in search of visual confirmation in Washington D.C. Now home from our Nation’s capital, I feel again on the cutting edge of a clandestine warfare coming of age and to light. Washington D.C. did indeed confirm that the United States of America was unarguably founded as a Nation established on Christian principals as document after document, monument of monument, Statesmen and heroes alike, testify to, in stone, and marble,valor and blood, recorded there for posterity, dramatically and historically. Homecoming, however, is returning to the fray. It is waking up each day to being unceremoniously attacked by the daily news of the madness that is Obama.
However, it not just Obama, that drives me to distraction, it’s the incessant kowtowing menagerie of his Orwellian Animal Farm. George Orwell, to his chagrin, aside from being proved right, can now see his book lived out in the American experiment. Eric Blair’s (George Orwell’s) satire is on parade for all to see and most of the animals are oblivious to the part they are playing in the threatening demise of our Nation as a Republic” of the People, by the People and for the People.
Americans are not perfect people. We are like all people, flawed; and, as foreseen by the Founding Fathers, we need our checks and balances to curtail our greed and self- centeredness, to keep an eye open and watch our backs as a People. Our checks and balances are gone. Our press is the servant of the President, our Congress is the servant of our President and our people seem content to worship at his feet. So much for balance.
Our weaknesses as individual’s who are capable of resenting one group or another within the American system are being used against us. We are being set against imagined “masters” despite the fact that our nation is the free-est on earth. All the “animals” set free by Obama’s Hope Machine, with childish idealistic and idyllic dreams can now High Five one another in the name of justice and progress, oblivious to the new chains being forged for their piggy hands and feet. Yes, power-hungry pigs, like Orwell’s, Napoleon, are on the prowl ready to become their new totalitarian dictators. The little happy piggies will some learn on their Animal Farm that “All Animals Are Equal But Some Are More Equal Than Others.” Oppression, call it what you will, even “the Audacity of Hope” is no less oppression. Martin Luther Jr.’s “I have a dream.” is being replaced by Obama’s dream which it best described as, “I have a nightmare.”
Crunching the Numbers-Iraqi Lives Saved
Posted in American, George W. Bush, Political, Reflecting on the news, United States, Video with tags 60 minures, Albrright, American, Bush, Clinton, Gateway Pundit, George W. Bush, Political, Politics, Reflecting on the news, Stahl, United States, Video on April 24, 2009 by JoannThe Gateway Pundit has an interesting take on American success in Iraq, lived out in lives saved. He writes in:
Bush Saved Hundreds of Thousands of Iraqis From Saddam’s Reign & Clinton’s Embargo
So how do Bush’s numbers compare to the slaughter during Saddam Hussein’s reign or the deadly embargo kept in place during the Clinton years?
Scott Thong crunched the numbers:Saddam Hussein’s reign: From the 285 months of Saddam Hussein’s reign from 16 July 1979 to 9 April 2003, using just six of the war crime events listed by U.S. War Crimes Ambassador David J. Scheffer, a total of 865,000 Iraqis civilians died as the result of Saddam’s ethnic cleansing, political oppression and ‘arrests’. That is a rate of 3035.088 deaths per month… 1.75 times greater than Bush’s death rate. This figure does not count the deaths of non-Iraqis, nor the casualties suffered during the wars against Iran and Kuwait, nor the countless other documented human rights abuses Saddam committed.
Bill Clinton era embargo: From the 108 months of 6 August 1990 to 6 August 1999, using the United Nations estimate, a total of 1 million Iraqi civilians died as result of the sanctions. Of these, as many as 567,000 of the casualties were children. That is a rate of 9259.259 deaths per month… 5.337 times greater than Bush’s death rate. Justify that, anti-war liberal Democrats. (Clinton actually only gained the Presidency on 20 January 1993, but the sanctions also lasted past the date of the UN estimate – to 22 May 2003, while Clinton stepped down on 20 January 2001.)
Back in 1996 Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that Clinton’s policy that may have resulted in 500,000 dead Iraqi children was worth it.
In a much forgotten exchange between Lesley Stahl and Madeleine Albright on “60 Minutes” back on May 12, 1996:
Tea Party Catch Up
Posted in American, Conservative, Constitution, Culture, Just Thinking Out Loud, Media, Obama, People, Political, Politics, Pork, President Obama, United States with tags American, Chuck Schumer, Conservative, Constitution, Culture, Just Thinking Out Loud, Mainstream Media, Media, Michell Malkin, Obama, People, plan, policy, Political, Politics, Pork, president, President Obama, Stimulus Bill, truth, United States, world news on April 15, 2009 by JoannMichelle Malkin is making it easy to catch up on tea party history and doings for MSM who may have missed its grassroots beginnings.
Feb. 15: Keli Carender, who blogs as “Liberty Belle” spread the word about a grass-roots protest she was organizing in Seattle to raise her voice against the passage of the trillion-dollar stimulus/porkulus/Generational Theft Act of 2009. It’s the first time she had ever jumped into political organizing of any kind. She is not affiliated with any “corporate lobbyist” or think tank or national taxpayers’ organization. She’s a young conservative mom who blogs. Amazingly, she turned around the event in a few days all on her own by reaching out on the Internet, to her local talk station, and to anyone who would listen.
Feb. 16: An energetic crowd of about 100 people came downtown to lambaste the Chicken Little process and the lard-up of the stimulus bill:
Word of the Seattle protest spread across the blogosphere. Readers suggested there should be a Denver protest on Feb. 17 to greet President Obama for the porkulus signing. Separately, the local chapter of Americans for Prosperity was already working to put something together on the fly. I met the head of the state AFP for the first time on the steps of the Capitol. No conspiracy here, tinfoil hatters. It was a union of like minds in an impromptu show of outrage against the legislation-without-deliberation process in Washington. Also there: Jon Caldara of the libertarian Independence Institute on one end of the spectrum and Tom Tancredo on the strict immigration enforcement end (hundreds of the protesters were mad about the absence of E-Verify standards for the stimulus funding):
More big-money conspiracy! I promised to bring a roasted pig. Paid for out of pocket. No corporate lobbyist pitched in. Tasted great and worth every penny:
Speaking of pigs, you can’t leave out the tax-and-spend revolt campaign against Chuck Schumer in response to his arrogant statement that only the “chattering classes” cared about the “teeny, tiny” pork amendments in the Generational Theft Act. Local radio host Leland Conway in Kentucky called on listeners to send Schumer pork rinds. A mountain of 1,500 bags poured into the station on Feb. 16 and was shipped to Schumer:
The history unfolds here
and we can’t forget Santelli’s rant which tapped the American pulse:
Troop Support? Obama/ Napolitano Flops!
Posted in American, Government, News, Opinions, Political, United States with tags administration, American, apology, document, extremists, Government, News, Opinions, Political, United States, veterans on April 15, 2009 by JoannWe are no longer fighting the real enemy, TERRORISM. The present administration is vilifying those who serve our country with its new hit piece- the DHS document Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment
“The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of
military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.”
Ed Morrissey reports: American Legion to Napolitano: Apologize
Of all the smears listed in the new DHS warning about “right-wing extremism,” none are more dastardly and despicable than the insinuation that returning military veterans represent a security threat to the nation they willingly served. The Commander of the American Legion has sent the following letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano explaining to her that military veterans are not the enemy
10th Amendment
Posted in American, Constitution, Culture, Economy, Government, Just Thinking Out Loud, Obama, Political, Politics, Pork, President Obama, United States, Video with tags American, Constitution, Culture, Economy, Government, Just Thinking Out Loud, Obama, People, Political, Politics, Pork, President Obama, rights, states, texas, United States, USA, Video on April 15, 2009 by JoannThe Tenth Amendment
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
10th Amendment Center give us these as well:
10th Amendment Resolution Introduced in Wisconsin
Pleading the 10th in Georgia
- Serving Notice in New Mexico
- Sovereignty for Ohio
- Alaska Resolution: Sovereignty Under the 10th Amendment
- Michigan: The Confines and Original Intent
Vatican Rumor -No to Caroline Kennedy Appointment
Posted in American, Conservative, News, Political, Vatican with tags abortion, ambassador, American, caroline, Conservative, Kennedy, News, Political, rumor, Vatican on April 11, 2009 by JoannCarolyn Kennedy must be getting used to rejection. She’s had her share lately and I guess she’s earned it on her own. The latest AllahPundit reports: Vatican Rejects Fairytale Princess:
Vatican sources told Il Giornale that their support for abortion disqualified Ms Kennedy and other Roman Catholics President Barack Obama had been seeking to appoint…
The Italian paper said that the Vatican strongly disapproved of Mr Obama’s support for abortion and stem cell research. The impasse over the ambassadorial appointment threatens to cloud his meeting with the Pope during a G8 summit in Italy in July.
Spies Penetrate Electrical Grid
Posted in American, News, Political, United States with tags American, Chinese, crisis, electrical grid, links, News, Political, Russian, spy, United States, war on April 8, 2009 by JoannSpies penetrate electrical grid via Joejolly’s Web Log“
The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls, the newspaper said, citing current and former U.S. national security officials.
The intruders have not sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure but officials said they could try during a crisis or war, the paper said in a report on its website.
“The Chinese have attempted to map our infrastructure, such as the electrical grid,” a senior intelligence official told the Journal. “So have the Russians.”…
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE53729120090408
Real Clear Krauthammer
Posted in American, Charles Krauthammer, Conservative, In a nutshell, Media, Opinions, Political, Politics, President Obama, Reflecting on the news, United States, Video with tags American, Charles Krauthammer, China, Conservative, crisis, In a nutshell, Krauthammer, Media, missile, N.Korea, Obama, Opinions, Political, Politics, President Obama, Reflecting on the news, U.N., United States, Video on April 6, 2009 by JoannAs usual Obama sounded great speaking of how America and the world needed to respond to N.Korea. As usual his response to the launch didn’t match the rhetoric and reality, as real clear Krauthammer, Fox News contributor, posted by Town Hall blog, makes crystal. Here’s Charles on the N. Korean missile launch and the weak response from President Obama :
h/t Greg Hengler
Stacking the Council on Women and Girls
Posted in American, Culture of Death, Defending Life, Opinions, People, Political, Politics, Pro-life, United States with tags American, Catholic, Christian, council, Culture of Death, Defending Life, emily's list, girls, In the Tank, innocents, NARAL, NOW, Opinions, People, plan, planned parenthood, policy, Political, Politics, president, Pro-life, United States, women on April 6, 2009 by JoannIn March of 2009, President Obama created a White House Council on Women and Girls. With issues of life intrinsically bound to women and girls, the president’s choices are noteworthy, making “All the President’s Women” by Denise Bossert a must read:
“…the President has named women who are seasoned politicians to positions in his Administration. These women, almost without exception, have one thing in common. They are radically pro-abortion, with track records to prove it, and they typically achieved positions of political power through organizations like Emily’s List, Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women (NOW) or the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (currently called NARAL Pro-Choice America). The women in this category have accepted the tenets of these pro-abortion organizations. They know that, to accept money from any pro-abortion Political Action Committee (PAC), they must respond by advancing the pro-abortion agenda.”
Abortion Package – the Price of Death
Posted in American, Catholic, Christian, Conservative, Culture of Death, Defending Life, Government, News, Political, Politics, President Obama, Pro-life, United States with tags abortion, American, Anti-abortion, Catholic, Christian, Conservative, Culture of Death, Defending Life, funds, Government, innocents, life, News, Obama, plan, planned parenthood, policy, Political, Politics, President Obama, Pro-life, United States, voice on April 6, 2009 by JoannThe moves and monies against Life have come fast and furiously, since President Obama took office and turned his attention to the most defenseless of this Nation. Calling it “health” millions will die with the help of American dollars. With Planned Parenthood at the top of the list, ” Abortion groups have submitted their 50 page proposal to the Obama-Biden Administration.”
From Susan B. Anthony List:
- $1 BILLION dollars in taxpayer funding for International Abortion Groups
- $700 million in taxpayer funding for “Title X” Health Clinics (aka your local Planned Parenthood affiliate)
- $65 million for the UNFPA, an international aid organization connected to coercive abortion as part of China’s coercive one-child policy
- Repeal the Hyde Amendment – Vastly expanding federal taxpayer funding for abortions
- Include Abortion coverage in any taxpayer-subsidized national health care program
- Expand taxpayer-funded abortions on military bases
- Expand taxpayer-funded abortions through the Peace Corps program
- Expand taxpayer-funded abortions for federal prisoners
For action alerts check here as well.
Obama – What’s His Endgame?
Posted in American, Charles Krauthammer, Conservative, Culture, Economy, Government, Just Thinking Out Loud, Opinions, People, Political, Politics, Reflecting on the news, United States with tags American, Charles Krauthammer, Conservative, constitutional, Culture, Economy, Government, Just Thinking Out Loud, national, Obama, Opinions, People, Political, Politics, president, Reflecting on the news, Stimulus Bill, United States, USA on April 4, 2009 by JoannCharles Krauthammer thinks President Obama’s endgame is “Leveling“:
Obama is a leveler. He has come to narrow the divide between rich and poor. For him the ultimate social value is fairness. Imposing it upon the American social order is his mission.
Fairness through leveling is the essence of Obamaism. (Asked by Charlie Gibson during a campaign debate about his support for raising capital gains taxes — even if they caused a net revenue loss to the government — Obama stuck to the tax hike “for purposes of fairness.”) The elements are highly progressive taxation, federalized health care and higher education, and revenue-producing energy controls. But first he must deal with the sideshows. They could sink the economy and poison his public support before he gets to enact his real agenda.
The “side shows” are the credit crisis, which , and the collapse of the U.S. automakers. Tim Geithner now wears the credit crisis as an albatross around his neck while Obama may come to rue his despotic intervention into the car business. Krauthammer doubts that this intrusion will leave lasting effects on our nation saying only, “Some find in this “descent into large-scale industrial policy a whiff of 1930s-style fascist corporatism.”
Obama’s real agenda is another matter in Krauthammers view:
Bizarre and constitutionally suspect as these interventions may be, the transformation of the American system will come from elsewhere. The credit crisis will pass and the auto overcapacity will sort itself out one way or the other. The reordering of the American system will come not from these temporary interventions, into which Obama has reluctantly waded. It will come from Obama’s real agenda: his holy trinity of health care, education and energy. Out of these will come a radical extension of the welfare state; social and economic leveling in the name of fairness; and a massive increase in the size, scope and reach of government.
I mention Charles Krauthammer’s observation because I find it very troubling that as busy as constitutional scholars were during the Bill Clinton impeachment days, we hear little from them now. History should have taught us what times of national crisis especially collapse have wrought in a nation which has been otherwise civilized. For example, Richard J Evans who wrote of Hitler’s endgame in his just released The Third Reich at War states that in of a previous book of his trilogy, The Coming of the Third Reich :
“I’m trying to be comprehensive, to show Nazi Germany and Nazi society at war in every aspect. In addition to the much better known military aspects, I try to deal with culture, literature, the arts. And I have human experiences — diaries, letters, personal testimonies.
In “The Coming of the Third Reich,” I try to say that it was not inevitable while pointing out that the Weimar Republic did, in fact, bring Nazism. The crucial point to remember is that in the 1928 elections, Nazis scored less than 3% of the national vote. By 1932 they were by far the largest party, with one third of the vote. So it’s the Depression. More than one third of the work force is unemployed by the middle of 1932. Businesses have crashed; banks have bankruptcies; people are disoriented by terrible inflation. It’s a desperate situation. And in that situation, the sense of activism, dynamism, youth, vigor, and radicalism that Hitler and the Nazis conveyed, tapping into nationalist resentment about the Treaty of Versailles with vague but vehement promises to restore Germany to its greatness…. All that had an irresistible appeal.
In “Can it happen here” (read the comments too!) Bookworm writes:
“…it’s worth noting that, when Hitler came to power in 1933, he did so with just barely more than 50% of the popular vote. There was never a time when the majority of Germans were members of the Nazi party. For most Germans, right through the end of the War, their crime wasn’t active complicity with Nazi atrocities, it was passive complicity. From a mixture of fear and brain washing, they just went along.
The Anchoress writing of lost freedom and persecution, wonders how much American will tolerate before realizing that freedom “is lost in increments and inches.”
As the magic that unleashed a relatively unknown Barack Hussein Obama onto the political scene and now world scene, do we really know what we have unleashed. Changes has come so quickly and gone unchallenged by any in a position to slow them down or investigate them such as our Congress who should be the voice of balance for the Nation. As I asked before where are the voices of our constitutional gurus? For that matter, where is our Congress and its role of checks and balances. What will the out to lunch Congress cost us?
